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Last night, the President delivered his fifth state of the union address, outlining his policy priorities for the upcoming year and his vision for our country: Equal opportunities, fair pay, and access to health care for every American. Here are some of our favorite moments from the president’s speech.

1. On equal pay:

Today, women make up about half our workforce.  But they still make 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.  That is wrong, and in 2014, it’s an embarrassment.

The fact that women are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of households with children, but women are only making 77 cents on the dollar is unacceptable—and we’re happy the president agrees. 

2. More on equal pay:

A woman deserves equal pay for equal work. She deserves to have a baby without sacrificing her job. A mother deserves a day off to care for a sick child or sick parent without running into hardship – and you know what, a father does, too.

We couldn’t have said it better, and support the steps the President has taken during his tenure to give women a fair shot most notably signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act –a critical step on the path to make equal pay a reality for all women.

3. On opportunity for women:

It’s time to do away with workplace policies that belong in a Mad Men episode. This year, let’s all come together – Congress, the White House, and businesses from Wall Street to Main Street – to give every woman the opportunity she deserves.

Right now, women make up 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, but only 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs.  To succeed in the workplace and in life, women need a fair chance to earn what they deserve and they need. 

4. On Obamacare and young people:

…because of the Affordable Care Act, more than three million Americans under age 26 have gained coverage under their parents’ plans.

These 3.1 million Americans (AND their parents) can breathe a sigh of relief.

5. On the millions already benefitting from Obamacare:

More than nine million Americans have signed up for private health insurance or Medicaid coverage.

And that’s not to mention the more than 27 million women (and counting) that have already benefitted thanks to the Affordable Care Act.  Women can now get access to preventive care, including birth control, cancer screenings, well-woman exams, and screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure, with no additional copay.

6. On the benefits of Obamacare:

That’s what health insurance reform is all about – the peace of mind that if misfortune strikes, you don’t have to lose everything.

It’s health care that’s there when you need it.  Obamacare makes it easier for those who are insured to get access to basic preventive care with no additional copay – and those who are uninsured get access to affordable health insurance that covers quality services.

7. On pre-existing conditions:

Because of this law, no American can ever again be dropped or denied coverage for a preexisting condition like asthma, back pain, or cancer. No woman can ever be charged more just because she’s a woman.  And we did all this while adding years to Medicare’s finances, keeping Medicare premiums flat, and lowering prescription costs for millions of seniors.

This statement says it all: Obamacare works.

Tags: Obamacare, Congress, State of the Union, Lilly Ledbetter, SOTU, President Barack Obama, equal pay

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